Ramé Will Not Start Against Chelsea

By: Jennifer | November 25th, 2008

Ummmm, yeah, that basically sums it up.

“If we win it, it will be an achievement.” – Chamakh

Le groupe : Valverde, Olimpa – Chalmé, Diawara, Jurietti, Placente, Planus, Trémoulinas – Diarra, Fernando, Gourcuff, Wendel, Sertic, Traoré – Bellion, Cavenaghi, Chamakh, Gouffran, Obertan.

I was so excited about Ramé returning to training, but I guess he didn’t pass his physical and cannot participate against Chelsea. If Chelsea can squeeze a 4-0 with Ramé in goal, what will happen tomorrow? Jussiê, Saunier and Paletta are also returning. Obertan and Saivet remain injured.

I think the lineup will be fairly predictable, with Cavenaghi starting from the bench (yet again.) As you know, Cavé is very very upset by this setup. He scores in almost every game even when he does come off the bench and is definitely an asset to the team. He does deserve more time on the European level, but I agree with Blanc that he is more of an asset when he comes off the bench to help with finishing. I think comparing Cavé with Chamakh is comparing such different things. Chamakh doesn’t score, but he assists goals and provides the kind of creative impetus that Bordeaux needs up front, along with Gourcuff.

I would love to see Chamakh and Cavenaghi play together because that would be a formidable duo. However, this obviously does not fit in to Blanc’s usual formation with the lone striker up front. In the comments, Julien mentioned that if Cavé does leave in January, it will help with the bills for Gourcuff a lot. I feel the same way, but I’m also concerned with losing our highest scorer. Yes, Chamakh, Bellion and Jussiê are amazing in terms of striking, but I do feel that they just don’t have the finishing quality that Cavenaghi possesses.

A lot of these decisions are up to Blanc to make, including what I think should be a debate: Gouffran or Obertan. I see his need to consolidate what he thinks is a good purchase (gone bad, if I might add); I see the need to allow younger players (perhaps, I mean Homegrown Youth Players That Didn’t Cost As Much As Gouffran Did) to play. One lesson Bordeaux is starting to take from Lyon’s success is the well established academy. Lyon is obviously well prepared for the departure of this generation (Benzema, and already ben Arfa) with the new generation (Tafer, Grenier, etc.). I think Bordeaux’s progress in this step is already evident with players of quality like Saivet, Obertan and Saunier. An alternative to actually buying Gourcuff at this inflated price (when he will leave again in another 2 years, for maybe 5m more) is in two parts: 1. Beg for a loan extension, 2. Invest in (quality) youth players and in the youth system. But as I’ve mentioned before, most of this is up to Blanc, who may or may not leave for greener pastures at the end of the season. No extension deal just yet.

While I’m at it, I might as well throw a few names out there that Bordeaux are following:
-Dănuţ Coman, Goal (Rapid Bucharest): Bordeaux are (rumoured to be) in talks with this young Romanian keeper
-Yoann Pelé, Goal (Le Mans) Linked to Bordeaux for the next season
-Yohan Cabaye, midfield (Lille OSC): Another one of those young French talents coming out of Lille. He claims to have a preference to Bordeaux (questionable), but also won’t mind joining his old coach at Lyon. Fitting in the Lille-on trend, perhaps.

Wow, this post has nothing to do with Chelsea at all <font size=”1″>and I also just keep talking and talking…</font> Really, a win will be a miracle.